Ben Franklin, Imperialist

by Peter J. Leithart

Franklin was a friend of British empire. He only wanted colonial equality within the empire. Continue Reading »

8 Jun 2016

Unfinished Empire

by Peter J. Leithart

On the complex reality of “empire.” Continue Reading »

7 Jan 2016

The Missionaries and the Empire

by Peter J. Leithart

On the complex history of Christianity and empire. Continue Reading »

6 Jan 2016

Along the Trail of Trade

by Peter J. Leithart

Civilization and the Silk Road. Continue Reading »

16 Dec 2015

In Defense of Spain

by Peter J. Leithart

Hugh Thomas writes in defense of the Spanish empire. Continue Reading »

15 Jul 2014

Cyrus the Anointed

by Peter J. Leithart

Isaiah describes Cyrus of Persia as if he were David of Judah. Continue Reading »

3 Jun 2014

More Manent

by Carl Scott

From the City Journal, this time, a full essay, with a title that says it all “City, Empire, Church, Nation.”    Here’s a taste: During the premodern era, competing political forms—the city, the empire, and the Church—checked one another, so it was necessary to . . . . Continue Reading »

23 Aug 2012

Carl’s Rock Songbook #9, Marilynne Robinson, “I Miss Civilization”

by Carl Scott

Marilynne Robinson is not Rock, and this is not a song. Rather, it is simply a three-word sentence dropped by the acclaimed novelist last fall, when I heard her speak at Skidmore College. But the following was initially provoked by another writer, Bill Kaufmann. Kaufmann is a hard one to . . . . Continue Reading »

1 Jul 2011